David Bowie Musical a No-Go: Reps Say the Rock Legend Hasn't Licensed Songs

In an interview posted today on the Guardian website, musical writer Deep Singh told the UK newspaper he "could not really believe" that David Bowie had given permission for his songs to be used in 'Heroes: The Musical,' a theater production set to premiere in March at London's IndigO2 venue.

Turns out Singh was right to be suspicious.

"Neither the David Bowie Organization, nor its co-publishers EMI Music and Chrysalis, has issued a license for a Bowie musical at the O2, as has been reported in the UK," read a statement issued earlier today (Nov. 27) by representatives for the British rock legend. "There are no negotiations pending for a long-running musical featuring the music of Mr. Bowie."

The show -- reportedly set in a dystopian future and based around some 20 Bowie classics, including 'Heroes,' 'The Jean Jeanie' and 'Let's Dance' -- was to have been directed by Matthew Gould, whose previous West End credits include 'Les Miserables' and 'Cats.'

While bands such as Madness, Abba and Queen have already been the subjects of jukebox musicals, Bowie has long resisted sanctioning a show of his own.

"His people had warned us that it was very unlikely that he would be interested and that he had been asked many times before," Singh told the Guardian.

"We did not want Mr Bowie to think it was going to be a tribute show, and that seems to have had an effect," he added.

If Bowie has, indeed, put the kibosh on the show, it's bad news not just for Singh and Gould, but also the three charities that stood to benefit from the production. According to the Guardian, proceeds were to have gone to the Orpheus Centre, Albert & Friends Instant Circus and Youth Music Theatre UK, all of which are arts groups for underprivileged youngsters.